Krasovic: Will Mathews ever justify draft hype?

Say this for Ryan Mathews. He’s keeping good company on the NFL injury list.

Charles Woodson, eight times a Pro Bowler at cornerback, is the only other NFL player I could find who's suffered two broken collarbones. There probably are others.

Mathews has broken his right and left clavicle in a span of four months, most recently against the Panthers on Sunday. Diving for passes, Woodson cracked his right collarbone twice in a span of 20 months.

Busting collarbones isn’t the “special” knack the Chargers had in mind, of course, when they gave up precious draft picks to grab Mathews 12th overall in 2010.

Special is sportspeak for star or star potential. The Chargers were convinced Mathews had it.

“I think he’s special,” A.J. Smith said after drafting the Fresno State junior.

Smith expected him to become a "championship-level back."

Jimmy Raye, the personnel man who is in line to succeed Smith as general manger, said at the time that Mathews should become an “every down” back as a rookie.

Norv Turner, describing Mathews as “extremely special,” said he was as excited when the Chargers drafted Mathews as he was when LaDainian Tomlinson went fifth to San Diego in 2001.

The Chargers weren't alone. Bill Polian, then the Colts’ GM, described Mathews as a “complete back.” A consensus first-round talent, Mathews was coming off a smashing junior year – 6.6 yards per carry, 1,808 yards and 19 touchdowns. He tested out well, running 40 yards in 4.43 seconds.

Yes, running backs are often dicey bets in the first round because productive backs can be found in the lower rounds.

Had Mathews become a special performer, though, the investment would've been worth it. The evaluation was off, not the actual trade.

It’s no easy task, figuring out what even a dominant college runner will do in the NFL. No doubt Chargers scouts tried to account for the difference between Western Athletic Conference defenders whom Mathews ran over and past with those in the NFL (for what it’s worth, Mathews also went for 107 yards on 19 carries against Wisconsin in his junior year.)

It’s called imagination. It’s not science.

Once Mathews began running against NFL defenses, it became evident that his upright style was a hazard. To him, not defenders.

Mathews acknowledged it, saying during his first preseason that he needed to run lower. The coaches worked with him on it, and he made some progress.

“Low man wins” is a popular saying among football players. Mathews, 5-11 ½ and 217 pounds, absorbed direct jarring hits from the start, increasing his risk of injuries and fumbles.

It's not an unusual challenge for young running backs, and Mathews responded with productive if inconsistent results.

Of the nine backs drafted in 2010, he ranked first in yards per carry, total yards and touchdowns despite an ankle sprain suffered in Week Two that he said left him at 80 percent capacity through season’s end.

He said Jaguars defenders wrenched the ankle when they "just pulled me over the pile" and he "heard a few pops."